Frequently Asked Questions

How does ChatCopTM work?

ChatCopTM is an award winning, easy to use parental monitoring solution for iChat. ChatCopTM works by watching chat sessions for "trigger words" then issuing a violation when a trigger word is detected. You can choose to set ChatCopTM to look for "any profanity" or "only extreme profanity". You can also add custom words (i.e. "Amy" or "sex" or "divorce" etc.) When a trigger word/phrase is detected you can set ChatCopTM to immediately close iChat, warn the user or even send you an audit of the chat session via email.

 

I recently upgraded to Snow Leopard...

Unfortunately, ChatCopTM only works in Leopard & Tiger. We don't have any previous builds of OS X to test on - but it will more then likely work on those also! If you experience any problems on any of those two OS versions, email us at Customer Service and we'll help you figure out what's wrong.

 

Will my children know they are being monitored?

Not if you don't want them to. ChatCopTM has the ability to run in "stealth" mode - making in virtually invisible to anyone on your Mac. However, you also have the ability to have the ChatCopTM "badge" displayed prominently on the menu bar as a constant reminder that "ChatCopTM is watching..."

 

What will ChatCopTM look for?

It's really up to you. ChatCopTM has a default dictionary of "trigger words/phrases" which includes curse words, sexual terms, commonly used inappropriate chat abbreviations etc. You can choose between "Any profanity" and "Only extreme profanity" - or you can define your own custom list to supplement the built in one.

 

What happens once a trigger word/phrase is used?

You have a few options - You can have ChatCopTM play a whistle sound, give the user an warning message, close down iChat, lock the user out of iChat, take a picture (mugshot) of the offender and/or email the violation report to a predefined email address.

 

What is a violation report?

A violation report is an audit of the chat session that used any trigger words/phrases. It will contain the time of the violation, the AIM names of the offenders as well as a complete record of what they were talking about - highlighting those parts of the conversation trigger words/phrases were used. It can also be set to contain a mugshot of the offender.

 

What is this "mugshot" feature I keep hearing about?

You can tell ChatCopTM to take a picture of the offender if a trigger word is used. This picture can be sent automatically with the violation report to an email address the parent has defined.

 

Is ChatCopTM safe?

Yes. ChatCopTM is parental chat monitoring software. It can only be installed by the owner of the Mac. It is easily removed and only monitors iChat sessions.

 

I have made some settings and they don't seem to have taken...

ChatCopTM is initialized when iChat is started. If you have made changes to ChatCopTM while iChat is open, you will need to restart iChat before the changes take effect.

 

I just purchased ChatCopTM. How long do I have to wait until I receive my registered version?

Usually, just a matter of minutes. An email will be sent that contains your license information.

 

Okay, it's been a few minutes. I still haven't receive my email. What gives?

Sometimes, an overzealous spam filter will catch the email. Check your "Bulk" folder. If there's no joy to be found there, then drop us a line at Customer Service. We'll straighten things out for you in no time.

 

I purchased ChatCopTM a while ago. How do I get the latest version?

Simply download the new version from our home page.

 

How do I request new features?

We're always open to new ideas, and suggestions for improving our products. The best way is to submit them to our feedback page.

 

When I buy ChatCopTM, what upgrades am I entitled to?

You are entitled to all version of the 'app that are released within the same series - 1.1, 1.2, etc. are all the 1.x series.

 

How do I remove ChatCopTM from my computer?

To remove ChatCopTM, open System Preferences, right click (or ctrl-click) the ChatCopTM icon and select "Remove ChatCopTM Preference Pane". Then browse to the folder /User/yourusername/Library/Application Support/SIMBL/Plugins and remove the folder ChatCop.bundle. Please note that only the system administrator can remove (or install) ChatCopTM.

 

I lost my license file - can I get a new one?

Absolutely no problem: simply fill-out this form and we'll re-send it to you.